Caen is a commune located in northwestern France. It is the prefecture (capital) of the Calvados department and the third-largest city in Normandy after Rouen and Le Havre. Caen had a population of approximately 105,000 inhabitants, with the metropolitan area consisting of about half a million people.
Caen is known for its rich historical and cultural heritage. Despite significant damage during World War II, especially during the Battle of Caen as part of the Normandy invasion, several buildings of the Middle Ages remain today.
Key points of interest include:
Château de Caen (Caen Castle): Built circa 1060 by William the Conqueror, who successfully conquered England in 1066, this castle is one of the largest medieval fortresses of Western Europe. Today, it houses the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Caen (Museum of Fine Arts of Caen) and Musée de Normandie (Museum of Normandy).
Click here to read more about this enormous castle/fortress in one of our article.
Abbaye aux Hommes (Men's Abbey) and Abbaye aux Dames (Women's Abbey): These two magnificent abbeys were also founded by William the Conqueror and his wife, Matilda of Flanders, respectively. The Men's Abbey, now City Hall (Hotel de Ville), is the burial place of William the Conqueror.
More information about the abbey in a future article
Memorial de Caen (Caen Memorial Museum): A comprehensive museum and memorial of the Second World War, it is considered one of the best of its kind in France. It provides an overview of the lead-up to the war, the war itself, and the post-war period.
The city is also known for its educational institutions, including the University of Caen Normandy, which is one of the oldest universities in France. It's a center of research and teaching in a variety of fields.
Caen's economy is diverse and has strong service, education, and industry sectors. It has a good transportation infrastructure, including an international airport, train services to Paris, and a port with ferry services to England. Despite the scars of the past, modern Caen is a vibrant city that represents a unique blend of history and modernity.
NOTE: The initial photograph portrays a statue of Joan of Arc astride a horse. Even though there's no explicit record of her engaging in any combat within or near Caen, her substantial impact on the region is undeniable.
Conclusion
Caen makes for a captivating destination to explore. You may find yourself taking a slight detour, such as when you visit the WWII graves and D-Day beaches, but the experience will leave you delightfully surprised. While Caen is a considerable urban area, the majority of its notable attractions are conveniently accessible on foot. A visit to the Caen Memorial Museum is an absolute must.